Which of the following conditions is often characterized by joint inflammation and pain?

Rheumatoid arthritis is often characterized by joint inflammation and pain due to its nature as an autoimmune disorder. In this condition, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium, the lining of the membranes that surround the joints. This leads to chronic inflammation and can cause swelling, pain, and eventually joint damage if not properly managed. Furthermore, rheumatoid arthritis typically affects multiple joints and often symmetrically, meaning if one side of the body is affected, the corresponding side usually is too.

On the other hand, osteoporosis is primarily a condition affecting bone density, which does not directly lead to joint inflammation or pain. Fibromyalgia is marked by widespread muscle pain and fatigue but does not generally involve joint inflammation. Osteopenia denotes a lower than normal bone density and, like osteoporosis, does not specifically result in joint inflammation or the types of pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.